Shazam! The rage of the gods use the same formula
While James Gunn has recently arrived take charge of the DC Universe (DCU) to the cinema, and that he is going to remake everything, realizes David F. Sandberg Shazam! The rage of the gods one of the last parts of DC Extended Universe (started in 2013 with man of Steel). Zachary Levi is back in front of the camera to embody the famous hero of the DC team. A sequel that is a continuation of the first part, whether in tone, style or themes.
David F. Sandberg once again proposes an adventure on family, solidarity, mutual aid as essential elements in the face of oppression, manifested here by the daughters of Atlas (Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler). As in the first film, the narration of the couple action sequences sometimes seductive, sometimes dripping, with muscular superheroes ea simplistic discourse on the meaning of family through teenagers who feel bad about themselves.
Thereby, Shazam 2 create an atmosphere dominated by humor and the second degree. Nobody takes themselves seriously here. David F. Sandberg takes this formula from the first work, which was inspired by the approach wonder studies. Valves galore to collide with a daunting, serious and quite boring plot. But unlike the MCU, which constantly navigates between two waters, resulting in grotesque and unwelcome tone breaks at times, Shazam 2 is clear with its viewer: It’s a comedy.
Humor as an outlet, but also as a limit
So yeah, we’re kidding. David F. Sandberg offers some tasty sequences, such as the hilarious dictations of the magic pen. Or lunar intervention of a fake Wonder Woman. A sequence whose staging takes up the same tics as Superman’s appearance in the first part, with, this time, an unexpected outcome. But the great comedic force of the film is obviously Zachary Levi, always perfect in the role of this teenager with the strength of Superman, halfway between a superheroic physique and well-dosed childish humor.
The actor is convincing as this eccentric, ambivalent character who tries to hide his insecurity behind Shazam’s muscles. Except, of course, again obscures the other characters – villains as allies. Which undoubtedly creates a balance problem between the hero and the other protagonists, with uninteresting subplots.
But this permanent second degree is also the movie limit. By dint of entering too comical a dimension, the plot loses its gravity, its interest. And when the director wants to stage a darker and more dramatic last act, the emotional springs flatten. It’s hard to feel empathy and awe for our heroes when nothing is taken seriously from the beginning of the movie.
A blatant lack of ambition
Like its predecessor, Shazam 2 lack of ambition. David F. Sandberg signs a funny but kindly forgettable film. The feature film never manages to break the mold “little superhero movie”. The fault of a plot stitched with white thread, where every element of the script is telephoned. The danger posed by the daughters of Atlas is never tangible. The love story between Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) is boring and lacking in originality. Also, the lack of connection to the rest of the DCEU makes Shazam a minor character in the DC Universe. And the use of Family Z at best only achieves figurative status.
David F. Sandberg then uses the clichés of the genre, without really being able to divert them. Yet that was the strength of the first part. His ability to twist superhero movie clichés. For example, the grocery store sceneextremely funny, which is a commonplace inherent in the genre (Poison, Hancock), and that is totally refreshing Shazam!. For Shazam 2the director attempts a similar approach with the bridge sequencewhich is also a commonplace of superhero movies (Dead Pool, X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man: There’s no way back home), without being able to give it new life.
Finally, while the first film managed to create a (light) form of novelty, Shazam 2 he was mostly content to mention his elders. The rest of the DCEU, of course, but also Harry Potter OR Doctor Strange, without being able to create a true identity. However, his universe has infinite possibilities, especially with the mysterious gates of the Rock of Eternity. Rather than deliver delusional sequences with it, David F. Sandberg refuses to meddle in this challenging world, favoring off-putting, banal talk, or even a falsely dramatic final fight with his part of loud, ugly creatures. Fortunately thatwe laugh in front Shazam! The rage of the gods. And it’s not that bad…
Shazam! The rage of the gods by David F. Sandberg, in theaters March 29, 2023. Above the trailer. Find all our trailers here.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
